The Kano State Police Command has intercepted 123 vehicles with covered, defaced or missing number plates as part of its ongoing Operation Clean Plates, a security initiative aimed at tackling crime linked to unregistered vehicles.
The operation also led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol, suspected cannabis, a knife and other suspicious items from a suspect arrested during the exercise.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the operation, which began on July 6, has been carried out across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.
According to him, all drivers of the intercepted vehicles have already been charged to court for violating vehicle registration laws.
“A total of 123 motor vehicles in violation have been intercepted across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State, and all the drivers have been charged to court,” Bakori said.
The police boss also revealed that officers attached to the Panshekara Division intercepted a vehicle without a registration plate on July 9 after the driver allegedly attempted to flee.
The suspect, identified as Mahi Ibrahim, 51, was arrested after a search of the vehicle uncovered a Beretta pistol, dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, a sharp knife, electric wires, 120 lithium batteries, and a vehicle believed to have been stolen.
Bakori said the suspect has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation to determine the source of the recovered items and uncover any possible criminal network.
He noted that the arrest highlights the importance of the operation, stressing that criminals often use vehicles without proper identification to transport illegal weapons, drugs and other dangerous items.
The commissioner assured residents that Operation Clean Plates would continue across the state, urging motorists to properly register their vehicles, display valid number plates and cooperate with security agencies.
He also called on members of the public to provide useful information that could help the police combat crime in the state.
Source: Kano State Police Command.
